Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Overview

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) issues electronic benefits that can be used like cash to purchase food. SNAP helps low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others feed their families. Eligibility and benefit levels are based on household size, income and other factors.

Benefits

SNAP benefits can help you put healthy food on the table. SNAP monthly benefits can be used to purchase food at authorized retail food stores.

SNAP benefits are provided through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, similar to a bank debit card or credit card. If you are eligible, an EBT account is set up for you, and every month your benefits will be deposited right into your account.

Income Guidelines for Households without Earned Income (no elderly or disabled member)

Family Size

Monthly Gross Income*

Annual Gross Income*

1

$1,316

$15,792

2

$1,784

$21,408

3

$2,252

$27,024

4

$2,720

$32,640

5

$3,188

$38,256

6

$3,656

$43,872

7

$4,124

$49,488

8

$4,592

$55,104

Each additional person

$468 +

$5,616 +

* Chart information is based upon SNAP Standards effective October 1, 2018.

Income Guidelines for Households with Earned Income (no elderly or disabled member)

Family Size

Monthly Gross Income*

Annual Gross Income*

1

$1,518

$18,216

2

$2,058

$24,696

3

$2,598

$31,176

4

$3,138

$37,656

5

$3,678

$44,136

6

$4,218

$50,616

7

$4,758

$57,096

8

$5,298

$63,576

Each additional person

$540 +

$6,480 +

* Chart information is based upon SNAP Standards effective October 1, 2018.

Income Guidelines for Households with an Elderly or Disabled Member and Households with Dependent Care Expenses

Family Size

Monthly Gross Income*

Annual Gross Income*

1

$2,023

$24,276

2

$2,743

$32,916

3

$3,463

$41,556

4

$4,183

$50,196

5

$4,903

$58,836

6

$5,623

$67,476

7

$6,343

$76,116

8

$7,063

$84,756

Each additional person

$720 +

$8,640 +

* Chart information is based upon SNAP Standards effective October 1, 2018.

There are other factors that are considered when determining eligibility for SNAP benefits. The only way to know if your household is eligible is to apply.

What if I have savings?

Most households applying for SNAP no longer have to pass a savings/resource test in order to get SNAP benefits. This means that the household's assets (stocks, savings and retirement accounts, etc.) are not considered when determining eligibility.

What if I am a college student?

To participate in SNAP, a student, in college at least half time, must meet the income eligibility for SNAP and one of the following criteria:

Be employed for an average of 20 hours per week and be paid for such employment or, if self-employed, be employed for an average of 20 hours per week and receive weekly earnings at least equal to the Federal minimum wage multiplied by 20 hours.

Participate in a State or Federally financed work study program during the regular school year.

Provide more than half the physical care for one or more dependent household members under the age of six or provide more than half the physical care of dependent household member who has reached the age of six but is under the age of 12 where adequate child care is not available.

Enrolled full-time in an institution of higher education and is a single parent with responsibility for the care of a dependent child under age 12.

Recertification

If you already get SNAP benefits in New York State, as long as you do not also get Temporary Assistance (cash) benefits, you can recertify (renew your benefits) without coming into the social services office. Two months prior to the end of the recertification period, you will receive a recertification packet in the mail that includes a SNAP application and a scheduled interview appointment on page 1.

There are three important steps in the recertification process:

You must submit a Recertification application before you can be interviewed on your scheduled interview appointment shown on page one of your recertification packet. You can submit your SNAP Recertification application by mail, from your home by using the internet (www.myBenefits.ny.gov), by fax, or in person at your local department of social services.

After you submit your application, you must be interviewed. If you submit your application AFTER the scheduled interview appointment on page one of your recertification packet, then it is YOUR responsibility to reschedule your interview appointment before the end of your recertification period.

After your interview, you may be asked to submit additional documents related to your income or circumstances.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.